Why Did They Become Muslims

which I liked very much. However, Fascists were self-conceited
people. They despised all people and all races outside of their
community. Here, too, cruelty, suffering, injustice and oppression
prevailed. A couple of months sufficed to make me loathe Fascism
intensely. For Mosley [1] , in Britain, Hitler [2] , in Germany, and
Mussolini [3] , in Italy, were the exemplary models of stark terror and
ruthless and despotic cruelty. Nevertheless, I could not give up
Fascism, for there was no other alternative left.
I was desperately writhing in a state of distress, when I came
across a periodical captioned The Islamic Review in a bookstore. I
scanned the book. I still cannot understand why I bought that
book, which cost me two shillings [4] and six pennies and was too
expensive for me. I thought, “I have wasted my money. Perhaps
the contents of this book are mere twaddles that would not be
worth a penny, like those Communist and Fascist follies.” Yet, as
I read on, it began to capture my attention, which soon developed
into utter amazement. I read the magazine once again, and again.
So Islam was a perfect religion which accummulated in itself all the
best aspects of Christianity and of the other ideologies ending in
‘ism’. Despite my poverty, I subscribed to the periodical. A couple
of months later I decided to embrace Islam. Since that day I have
held fast to my new religion with my both hands.
I hope to begin studying Arabic as soon as I enter university.
For the time being I am studying Latin, French and Spanish, and
reading ‘The Islamic Review’.
29
Dr. R.L. MELLEMA
(Hollander)
(Dr. Mellema is the director of the section concerned with
Islamic Works of Art of the Tropical Museum in Amsterdam. He
[1] Sir Oswald Mosley (1896-1980), British right-wing politician, an MP
from 1918 to 1931, and the founder of the British Union of Fascists.
[2] Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), the leader of German Nazi Party. He was
born in Austria. His ideal was to develop a pure German race.
[3] Benito Mussolini (1883-1945), (known as Il Duce), Italian Fascist
Dictator. After the Second World War, he was killed by the Italians.
[4] Until 1971, British coin, worth one-twentieth a pound, or twelve old
pennies; five pennies as of today.
– 90 –